Water outage and water contamination

Tap water may be out of service either due to an interruption or water contamination.

If the water is out, follow these steps:

• Check the website of the water utility for disruption notices or by telephone from the utility's customer services.
• Follow the communications of your local water utility and municipality.
• Use the water you have reserved in your home emergency supplies as your drinking water.
• Take care of your hygiene with your hygiene supplies.
• Share information about the instructions issued by the authorities, such as the recommendations on cooking water.
• Get water from a temporary distribution point if one has been arranged due to a prolonged interruption.
• Help loved ones and those living nearby with tasks such as picking up water.
• Follow the instructions of the local waste disposal service on how to dispose of toilet waste if the toilet cannot be flushed for a longer period of time. Instructions may vary by region.

After a water outage:

When the disruption of the water supply is over, follow the instructions given by the water utility and the municipality.

Before resuming water use, it is advisable to run the taps until the water is clear.

Read more: What to do during a water outage - 72tuntia.fiOpens in a new window.

If the water is contaminated, it is not drinkable. However, water may come from the tap unless the water supply in the area is cut off.

Do not use water with quality defects such as a strange colour, smell or taste. Report the quality defect to the water utility in your area.

Follow the instructions of your local water utility and municipality regarding how you may use the water.

• Find out if the water can be used when boiled. If there is a recommendation on boiling the water, you may drink it as long as you first boil it.
• Stop using the water if a prohibition of use is issued. If water may not be used, use tape to cover the tap and put a warning label on it.
• Make sure that people close to you have noticed the instructions and are able to act accordingly.
• Use the water you have reserved in your home emergency supplies as your drinking water.
• Find out whether the water may be used for taking care of your hygiene, such as washing your hands.

The water utility and the authorities will inform you when the water may be used again. Follow the instructions given. Before resuming water use, you must run the taps to make sure the water running in the pipes in your home is clean.

For instructions on boiling water, see the website of the Finnish Red Cross. Opens in a new window.